Pope Caius

Caius or Gaius (* in Dalmatia, † April 22 296 ) was Bishop of Rome on 17 December 283 to 22 April 296

He was the son of Gaius, or - his niece, the Holy of Susanna According Concordia - a relative of the Emperor Diocletian. Under his leadership, the Christians enjoyed a time of peace between the persecution under Valerian and Diocletian. In addition to the information of the Liber Pontificalis, little is known about him.

Life and work

Gabinus is the name of the Father, the Holy Susanna. Therefore, it is assumed that Socrates is the uncle of the Holy Susanna.

During his tenure, the persecution of Christians increased, although new churches and cemeteries could be built. Probably he did not die as a martyr, because the persecution of Diocletian began presumed death only in the year 303, after Caius ', and Diocletian the Christians was on his way to the imperial attitude towards not always hostile. As Bishop of Rome Caius decreed that a future bishop must have been first lector, exorcist, acolyte, subdeacon, deacon and priest.

Caius ' grave, in which there was also his signet ring, was discovered with the original grave inscription in St. Callistus catacombs in Rome. In 1631, his alleged official residence was converted into a church, but had to give way to the Italian Ministry of Defence in 1880, so that his relics to the chapel of the Barberini family were transferred.

As a saint

His feast day is, together with that of the Soterus, April 22. In art, the Holy Caius is presented with a tiara with an image of Saint Nereus. It is mainly worshiped in Dalmatia and Venice.

In Florence him San Gaggio church is dedicated.